{"id":1427525,"date":"2026-01-30T11:00:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T11:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1427525"},"modified":"2026-01-30T11:07:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T11:07:43","slug":"tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/","title":{"rendered":"Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>If Tottenham\u2019s European form matched their domestic performances, they\u2019d be unstoppable.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spurs booked their last-16 spot with a routine 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night. As the drama unfolded across 18 matches, Thomas Frank\u2019s side got the job done at a canter. It\u2019s a far cry from the Premier League form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-spurs-put-in-strong-midweek-showing\" data-level=\"3\">Spurs put in strong midweek showing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-romero-s-role-in-three-man-defence\" data-level=\"3\">Romero&#8217;s role in three-man defence<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-wing-backs-and-their-support\" data-level=\"3\">Wing-backs and their support<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Dane is under pressure to haul Spurs away from the relegation zone. He\u2019s overseen two wins in 14 in the league. And having collected three points from 15 over a navigable run, Spurs face Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Arsenal and Fulham over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-spurs-put-in-strong-midweek-showing\">Spurs put in strong midweek showing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s hardly an ideal run of games for the north London side. The win in Frankfurt, though, gives Frank food for thought. The former Brentford boss has favoured a 4-2-3-1 setup this season. Against Burnley last weekend, he reverted to a three-man backline. A 2-2 draw may not have appeased supporters but it bought Frank time. The 52-year-old stuck with the setup in midweek.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1427529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026-267x267.jpg 267w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026-40x40.jpg 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104052\/SpursPosFRA_30012026.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>And this time, it worked. Even with a mounting injury crisis and the absence of star defender Micky van de Ven, Spurs were solid at the back, conceding just one shot on target. Going forward, they created 11 chances, their seventh most in a match this season. It was one of their better performances under Frank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Admittedly, Eintracht are hardly the toughest of opponents. Dino Toppmoller was relieved of his duties earlier this month. The Bundesliga side have won just one of their last 12 after Wednesday\u2019s defeat. They\u2019ve conceded more than once in every match this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-romero-s-role-in-three-man-defence\">Romero&#8217;s role in three-man defence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even so, you can only beat what is put in front of you. And it was the persistence with a three-man backline that helped Spurs to victory. Frank dropped a bit of a surprise by starting Palhinha on the right of the three-man defence. With Van de Ven, Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies missing, the 4-2-3-1 made sense on paper. A midfielder by trade, the logical decision would have been to start the Portugal international in the middle of the backline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In doing so, though, Spurs would have been robbed of their most effective progressive passer. Yes, Cristian Romero has his shortcomings. But when it comes to distribution, there are none better in the Spurs squad.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1427533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1-32x40.jpg 32w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30104330\/RomeroPassMap_30012026-1.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The decision, therefore, to start Palhinha from the right of the defence granted Romero the additional space to help keep play ticking over and get the ball forward where required. While the Spurs skipper did often move the ball to the left and right \u2013 he passed to Kevin Danso 20 times, and Palhinha 28 times \u2013 the key aspect was the desire to progress the play into midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, Romero made seven passes each to Pape Sarr and Archie Gray. He passed to Wilson Odobert three times and Xavi Simons four times. The centre-back completed 12 final third passes. They\u2019re hardly groundbreaking returns, but signs of progression, quite literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wing-backs-and-their-support\">Wing-backs and their support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What stood out, too, was just how Spurs were able to dominate with the additional man in defence, one of which was a midfielder, no less. Granted, Palhinha isn\u2019t the most glamourous central midfielder in world football. However, he carries out a specific duty to an incredibly high standard. He wins and recycles possession effectively. As support for right wing-back Djed Spence, the England international was then able to get forward, safe in the knowledge that he had Palhinha mopping up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a similar story on the left with Danso supporting Destiny Udogie. Both wing-backs had a safety net as backup that allowed Spurs to utilise the flanks. Just 24% of their attacks came through the middle. And with Odobert and Simons cutting inside, there was space for Spence and Udogie to utilise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, Spurs were able to squeeze up the pitch and effectively suffocate Eintracht. The German side created just three chances in midweek. One of those was for defender Arthur Theate to chance his luck from range. The Belgian\u2019s shot was blocked. Eintracht barely had a sniff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crucial now, though, is that Spurs continue with a similar setup going forward. One of the many criticisms aimed at Frank is his inability to attempt to build consistency in both setup and squad selection. Injuries haven\u2019t aided the Spurs boss, though nor has some questionable decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The last two games, though, has seen Frank use a three-man defence. It is a system that has been mocked, particularly throughout Ruben Amorim\u2019s ill-fated Manchester United spell. However, it\u2019s that same setup that may just keep Frank in the job.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                <div class=\"sq-cards\">\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/andrey-santos-man-utd-tactical-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09170518\/AndreySantos190526_ID3EGFW6W-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Andrey Santos Man Utd: How Brazilian can transform Michael Carrick&#039;s midfield\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/andrey-santos-man-utd-tactical-analysis\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Man Utd analysis: How Andrey Santos can transform Michael Carrick&#8217;s midfield                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/connorholden\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Connor Holden                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">5 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/argentina-vs-switzerland-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10115150\/argentina-vs-switzerland-penalties-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Argentina vs Switzerland penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/argentina-vs-switzerland-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Argentina vs Switzerland penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">8 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-belgium-stats-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10104815\/SYMS_SpainvsBelgium-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-belgium-stats-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Spain vs Belgium Stats: La Roja unbeaten in 35, super sub Lukaku &amp; unstoppable De la Fuente                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/jackkitson\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Jack Kitson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">9 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/norway-vs-england-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10094352\/norway-vs-england-penalties-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Norway vs England penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/norway-vs-england-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Norway vs England penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">10 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/erling-haaland-vs-harry-kane-analysis-world-cup-comparison-matrix\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09170820\/feature_image-x-2-purple-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Erling Haaland vs Harry Kane analysis: Which striker comes out on top?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/erling-haaland-vs-harry-kane-analysis-world-cup-comparison-matrix\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Erling Haaland vs Harry Kane analysis: Which striker comes out on top?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/connorholden\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Connor Holden                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">11 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-france-vs-morocco-09-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09225111\/KylianMbappe090726_ID3F0T5EN-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"France vs Morocco analysis: Les Bleus showcase variety of attacking solutions against stubborn Atlas Lions\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-france-vs-morocco-09-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    France vs Morocco stats and analysis: Les Bleus showcase variety of attacking solutions against stubborn Atlas Lions                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/connorholden\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Connor Holden                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">22 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-chelsea-marco-palestra-new-signing\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/08192510\/MarcoPalestra210226_ID3ETX0TE-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-chelsea-marco-palestra-new-signing\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Chelsea analysis: Why Marco Palestra is Xabi Alonso&#8217;s perfect first signing                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/connorholden\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Connor Holden                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-belgium-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09142325\/spain-vs-belgium-penalties-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Spain vs Belgium penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-belgium-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Spain vs Belgium penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-morocco-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09133027\/france-vs-morocco-penalties-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"France vs Morocco penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-morocco-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    France vs Morocco penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/norway-analysis-world-cup-tactics-break-english-hearts\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09091031\/ErlingHaaland09072026_ID3F02FX5-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Norway analysis: How Erling Haaland and the Vikings could break English hearts\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/norway-analysis-world-cup-tactics-break-english-hearts\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Norway analysis: How Erling Haaland and the Vikings could break English hearts                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/connorholden\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Connor Holden                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-morocco-stats-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09093642\/SYMS_FrancevsMorocco-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-morocco-stats-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    France vs Morocco Stats: Mbappe chasing Messi, Deschamps\u2019 milestone &amp; Morocco\u2019s unbeaten run                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/jackkitson\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Jack Kitson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-jude-bellingham-england-star\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/08163453\/JudeBellingham050726_ID3F0D9HB-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Jude Bellingham analysis: Why England don&#039;t have to rely on Harry Kane\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-jude-bellingham-england-star\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Jude Bellingham analysis: Why England don&#8217;t have to rely on Harry Kane                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/connorholden\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Connor Holden                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-quarter-finalsts-reliance-top-scorer\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/02190227\/feature_image-x-3-purple-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"World Cup quarter-finalist goalscorers\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-quarter-finalsts-reliance-top-scorer\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Every World Cup 2026 quarter-finalist ranked by reliance on their top goalscorer                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/alexander-isak-analysis-liverpool-andoni-iraola\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/08132341\/AlexanderIsak08072026_ID3EBB226-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/alexander-isak-analysis-liverpool-andoni-iraola\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Liverpool analysis: Why Andoni Iraola needs to avoid Darwin Nunez deja vu with Alexander Isak                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/sammcguire\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Sam McGuire                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-distance-travelled-08-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/01111019\/predictions_article-16x9-2026-07-01T111009.322-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-distance-travelled-08-07-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup 2026: Which nation will travel the furthest distance this summer?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/andrewfrancis\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Andy Francis                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-team-of-the-round-last-16\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/08001455\/LionelMessi07072026_ID3F0BY24ErlingHaaland08072026_ID3F03T33-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-2026-team-of-the-round-last-16\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup 2026 Team of the Last-16: Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland star after dramatic round                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">3 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If Tottenham\u2019s European form matched their domestic performances, they\u2019d be unstoppable. Spurs booked their last-16 spot with a routine 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night. As the drama unfolded across 18 matches, Thomas Frank\u2019s side got the job done at a canter. It\u2019s a far cry from the Premier League form. The Dane&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1427526,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Tottenham\u2019s European form contrasts sharply with their league struggles. This analysis explores the tactical tweak that could save Frank\u2019s job.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1427525","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Tottenham\u2019s European form contrasts sharply with their league struggles. This analysis explores the tactical tweak that could save Frank\u2019s job.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tottenham\u2019s European form contrasts sharply with their league struggles. This analysis explores the tactical tweak that could save Frank\u2019s job.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-30T11:07:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30103850\/CristianRomero30012026_3DK2AW5-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1595\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@squawka\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ben McAleer\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4\"},\"headline\":\"Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-30T11:00:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-30T11:07:43+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/\"},\"wordCount\":818,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30103850\/CristianRomero30012026_3DK2AW5-scaled.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"accessibilityFeature\":[\"tableOfContents\"]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/\",\"name\":\"Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint | Squawka | EN\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30103850\/CristianRomero30012026_3DK2AW5-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-30T11:00:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-30T11:07:43+00:00\",\"description\":\"Tottenham\u2019s European form contrasts sharply with their league struggles. This analysis explores the tactical tweak that could save Frank\u2019s job.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30103850\/CristianRomero30012026_3DK2AW5-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30103850\/CristianRomero30012026_3DK2AW5-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1595,\"caption\":\"3DK2AW5 Frankfurt, Germany. 28th Jan, 2026. January 28 2026: Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during a 1. Bundesliga game, Eintract Frnkfurt vs RB Leipzig, at Deutsche bank stadium, Frankfurt, Germany. Ulrik Pedersen\/CSM\/Sipa USA (Credit Image: \u00a9 Ulrik Pedersen\/Cal Sport Media\/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US\/Alamy Live News\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Squawka\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Features\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/\",\"name\":\"Squawka | EN\",\"description\":\"Football News, Stats, and More...\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4\",\"name\":\"Ben McAleer\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Ben McAleer\"},\"description\":\"Ben has over 15 years\u2019 worth of experience in the world of football writing and has previously featured on The Guardian, The Independent, Sky Sports, The Irish Examiner, talksport, and more. Ben is, for his sins, a Tottenham fan with a soft spot for Barnet.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/x.com\/benmcaleer1\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/benmcaleer\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint | Squawka | EN","description":"Tottenham\u2019s European form contrasts sharply with their league struggles. This analysis explores the tactical tweak that could save Frank\u2019s job.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint","og_description":"Tottenham\u2019s European form contrasts sharply with their league struggles. This analysis explores the tactical tweak that could save Frank\u2019s job.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/","og_site_name":"Squawka | EN","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SquawkaFootballNews\/","article_modified_time":"2026-01-30T11:07:43+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1595,"url":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30103850\/CristianRomero30012026_3DK2AW5-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@squawka","twitter_misc":{"Estimated reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/"},"author":{"name":"Ben McAleer","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4"},"headline":"Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint","datePublished":"2026-01-30T11:00:58+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-30T11:07:43+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/"},"wordCount":818,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30103850\/CristianRomero30012026_3DK2AW5-scaled.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-GB","accessibilityFeature":["tableOfContents"]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/","url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/","name":"Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint | Squawka | EN","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30103850\/CristianRomero30012026_3DK2AW5-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2026-01-30T11:00:58+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-30T11:07:43+00:00","description":"Tottenham\u2019s European form contrasts sharply with their league struggles. This analysis explores the tactical tweak that could save Frank\u2019s job.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30103850\/CristianRomero30012026_3DK2AW5-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/30103850\/CristianRomero30012026_3DK2AW5-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1595,"caption":"3DK2AW5 Frankfurt, Germany. 28th Jan, 2026. January 28 2026: Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during a 1. Bundesliga game, Eintract Frnkfurt vs RB Leipzig, at Deutsche bank stadium, Frankfurt, Germany. Ulrik Pedersen\/CSM\/Sipa USA (Credit Image: \u00a9 Ulrik Pedersen\/Cal Sport Media\/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US\/Alamy Live News"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-tottenham-three-man-backline\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Squawka","item":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Features","item":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Tottenham analysis: Why Thomas Frank\u2019s three-man defence could be Spurs\u2019 survival blueprint"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/","name":"Squawka | EN","description":"Football News, Stats, and More...","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/d83177c024444113f28c89f65fde90b4","name":"Ben McAleer","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ecc09a71c5a7a0a154f65a823b2d57f865ae282917ddd2eadc3272ff5a55348f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Ben McAleer"},"description":"Ben has over 15 years\u2019 worth of experience in the world of football writing and has previously featured on The Guardian, The Independent, Sky Sports, The Irish Examiner, talksport, and more. Ben is, for his sins, a Tottenham fan with a soft spot for Barnet.","sameAs":["https:\/\/x.com\/benmcaleer1"],"url":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/benmcaleer\/"}]}},"yoast_title":"","yoast_description":"Tottenham\u2019s European form contrasts sharply with their league struggles. This analysis explores the tactical tweak that could save Frank\u2019s job.","yoast_keyword":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features\/1427525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/features"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3564"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features\/1427525\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1427526"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1427525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1427525"},{"taxonomy":"features-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/features-category?post=1427525"},{"taxonomy":"squawka-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/squawka-category?post=1427525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}